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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
SIZZLING hot Chicken Inn have stuck to the normal gate charges for the eagerly awaited big derby against Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow. Emagumeni is expected to be jam packed for the match that is also set to live up to expectations as the red hot Chicken Inn try to extend their dominance over Amahlolanyama, a team they have beaten twice in league matches since their grand entry into the elite league in 2011.
Bosso have just a single victory over their less illustrious city neighbours who are slowly but surely marching towards dizzy heights. The two sides have met eight times so far.
Chicken Inn chairman, Lifa Ncube, summed up their intentions through a response on his Facebook site when asked if they were ready for Highlanders.
“For sure. Out to preserve our record,” declared Ncube.
The GameCocks, who have previously increased gate charges whenever at home against Highlanders, a move seen by many as a way of trying to reduce the number of Bosso supporters at the match, say this time around, crowds will not be an issue.
“We’re not increasing the gate charges for the match, fans will pay the normal fees,” said Chicken Inn secretary general Tawengwa Hara. “A majority of our players have played against Highlanders before and it’ll be silly for us to think they can be intimidated by their fans. We’ve already played before a capacity crowd at Rufaro Stadium.”
Chicken Inn pulled a Houdini act in Harare, hitting defending champions for three in front of their stunned but previously expectant supporters.
Tomorrow’s epic duel is set to surpass the numbers that watched Tsholotsho FC play Bosso at the same venue. 8,640 fans paid to watch the match.
A monumental error of judgment by the Bosso leadership to increase minimum entry fee to $5 saw a paltry 4,157 fans watching the Caps United encounter.
Slightly over 5,000 fans witnessed Bosso snatch a late equaliser from the spot in the 1-1 draw against Harare City last Sunday.
Tomorrow’s match will most certainly attract a bigger crowd, in fact Barbourfields Stadium will this weekend play host to two biggest crowds inside 48HRS as gold miners How Mine, are home to champions Dynamos on Sunday.
Fixtures
Today: Tsholotsho v Dongo Sawmill (White City Stadium)
Saturday: Chicken Inn v Highlanders (Barbourfields Stadium), Harare City v Hwange (Rufaro Stadium), Flame Lily FC v Buffaloes (Lafarge Stadium), FC Platinum v Triangle United (Mandava Stadium), Whawha v ZPC Kariba (Ascot Stadium)
Sunday: How Mine v Dynamos (B/F), Caps United v Chapungu (Ascot), FC Platinum v Triangle (Mandava)
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